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Hok Kolorob Movement, 2014-15: A Movement by Students of Jadavpur University

The Hok Kolorob movement was a 2014-15 protest by Jadavpur University students in response to the university administration's mishandling of a sexual harassment complaint. A female student was assaulted in a hostel, but the internal complaints committee was compromised and requests to replace members were denied. Students demanded an external investigation, increased security, and the vice-chancellor's resignation due to inaction. The peaceful four-month protest mobilized over 50,000 students through social media and rallies. It gained national attention and led to the vice-chancellor's eventual resignation in January 2015 after students participated in a hunger strike.

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Gulshan Dhanani
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216 views3 pages

Hok Kolorob Movement, 2014-15: A Movement by Students of Jadavpur University

The Hok Kolorob movement was a 2014-15 protest by Jadavpur University students in response to the university administration's mishandling of a sexual harassment complaint. A female student was assaulted in a hostel, but the internal complaints committee was compromised and requests to replace members were denied. Students demanded an external investigation, increased security, and the vice-chancellor's resignation due to inaction. The peaceful four-month protest mobilized over 50,000 students through social media and rallies. It gained national attention and led to the vice-chancellor's eventual resignation in January 2015 after students participated in a hunger strike.

Uploaded by

Gulshan Dhanani
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Hok Kolorob Movement, 2014-15

A movement by students of Jadavpur University

Gulshan Dhanani | 18329

1
‘Hok Kolorob’ – Let there be noise!
Ineffective handling by college authorities of a sexual harassment complaint made by a female
student at JU led to several protests

ISSUE AT HAND DEMANDS BY STUDENTS

 On 28th August, during a campus festival, a female


> Active investigation via an ‘external
second-year student was dragged into the Old Boys’ committee’
hostel on campus was molested by 10 residents
Effectively a Local Complaints Committee (LCC)
 Girl’s father was told to hold his complaint because the recommended by the Sexual Harassment Act
Vice-Chancellor Abhijit Chakrabarti was out of station

 The Internal Complaints Committee created to investigate


> Increased security for students within
was compromised when two of its members and
professors at the University visited the victim’s home to
the campus
question about her dressing Demanding full-time security in boys’ and girls’ hostels

 Subsequently, requests for replacing the panelists


were also denied by the VC quoting the Vishakha
> … And ultimately the resignation of the
Guidelines
Vice-Chancellor
 Abhijit Chakrabarti was reluctant in ordering in expediting
The authorities’ ineptness in handling the the investigation
situation, carelessness for security and attempts  Summoned police for ‘protection’ when locked out in the
of victim blaming set the stage for the movement Executive Council meeting by students – leading to lathi
charge
2
A four-month long series of protests
The movement was intended to be a peaceful one and mobilized more than 50,000 students via
social media
Sept 17th: Police, aided by civil-dressed outsiders, assaulted students
A peaceful protest who had circled the Administrative Building where the EC meeting was
against the university going on
administration Sept 20th: Rally in Jadavpur – attended by 30k-100k participants from
other universities, met the WB Governor K N Tripathi

Oct 7th : Notwithstanding student demands, Abhijit Chakrabarti


appointed as VC by the Governor – he was interim VC during the period
Marked by guitars, of the incident
violins and songs
Oct 16th: Fire-torch rally along with 24 hour hunger strike by 700
instead of provoking
students in demand for Chakrabarti’s resignation
slogans

Early Nov: Classes started again, with students refusing to record


attendance
Dec 24th: Graduating students called for a boycott of the convocation
And social media
ceremony; Chancellor called at the last minute; Arts topper student
activism that helped in
denied to accept the medal in presence of the VC as a mark of protest
mobilization

Jan 5th: 10 students announced to ‘fast-unto-death’; more students


joined by Jan 11th
The movement rapidly gained attention
Jan 12th: After almost 160 hours of fasting, CM Mamata Banerjee
among other university students in the arrived at the scene, met university officials and announced the VC’s
country and abroad resignation
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